8 Great Dog-Friendly Destinations

Sheepworld, Warkworth

We challenge you to find another campsite quite like Sheepworld. Staying here is like going back in time. It’s quaint, quirky, and very rustic—and we love it that way! Dogs receive a warm welcome with lots of fuss from the owners and their humans get to enjoy the rare luxury of having their very own individual shower and toilet on powered sites.

Hillview Campsite, Catlins

Just six kilometres from Kaka Point and close to the main town of Owaka, this family-owned campsite is surrounded by farmland and offers a quiet rural haven for dog owners, with plenty of room for pets to run around safely. It’s a peaceful location and its proximity to everything makes it the ideal place to base all your travels throughout the Catlins. We stayed here the entire week and found it a lovely place to come ‘home’ to each day.

Mossburn Country Park, Northern Southland

This beautifully kept campground is also a working farm, and they love animals, including yours! It’s quiet and spacious, and the whole family will be blissfully happy here. Go for a leisurely walk and meet the many four-legged residents. The owners are friendly and helpful and have a wonderful eye for detail around the place, as well as a great sense of humour.

Kuaotunu Motor Camp, Coromandel Peninsula

This special place has such a warm and friendly atmosphere that you might not want to leave. The perfect place to get away from it all, with no or limited cell phone reception, Kuaotunu Motor Camp is a wee hidden gem, around 20 minutes from Whitianga. With excellent facilities, including kayaking in the grounds and Rings Beach across the road, this spacious ground provides a relaxing break for both dogs and their owners. The managers are helpful and knowledgeable about the area and nothing is too much trouble.

Oakura Beach Holiday Park, Taranaki

Close to New Plymouth and right on the beach, this lovely campground goes out of its way for guests. As a rule, they are dog-friendly all year round with the exception of peak season. However, when the receptionist heard how much trouble we were having finding a dog-friendly campsite in the area during the holidays, the manager agreed to let us stay and found us a beautiful quiet spot. With excellent facilities, gorgeous views, and tons of space, we couldn’t have hoped for better. Places like these definitely deserve supporting.

Taieri Mouth Beach Holiday Camp, Dunedin

Old-fashioned camping at a great price, just the way it used to be. Friendly, loads of room, and a stunning beach less than a stone’s throw from your vehicle, this place is a dog’s paradise. Just make sure you have cash in advance, as there are no EFTPOS facilities here.

Hawera Holiday Park, Taranaki

The convenient location of this immaculate campground means easy walking for both two-legged and four-legged friends to all the main amenities and attractions, particularly Naumai Park, Nowells Lake, and King Edward Park. Just watch out for Hunny Bunny!

Tokerau Beach Motor Camp, Karikari Peninsula

One of the few truly dog-friendly campsites in the Far North, this old-school motor camp has all the room a dog could want, including miles of uncrowded beach right on your doorstep.

Tips for travelling with your dog

Click here for MCD tips for travelling with your dog